Apple Unveils New Products for 2017
Overview
On September 12, 2017, Apple revealed the much-anticipated iPhone 8, iPhone 8+, iPhone X, Apple Watch Series 3, and a new version of their unique TV device, Apple TV. Also revealed at the event was the AirPower wireless charging mat, set to release in 2018. It should be noted that the AirPower mat will only support wireless charging for the products revealed at this most recent Apple event; future Apple products will presumably have wireless charging support through the AirPower as well. The event also doubled as a debut for Apple’s 1000-seat auditorium, the Steve Jobs Theater, inside which the event was hosted.
iPhone X
The iPhone X, the spearhead product of this year’s Apple event, comes essentially as a complete overhaul to the design of previous iPhones, including those of the new iPhone 8 and 8+. The most immediately striking design element of the iPhone X is its new display, which consists of a screen that covers almost the entirety of the front of the phone–excluding a small space left at the top for the front-facing camera and the speaker held up to one’s ear while making a phone call. The casing of the iPhone X features surgical-grade stainless steel, covered by a durable layer of glass all around the phone. Preorders for the iPhone X become available on Friday, October 27, 2017, and the phone is officially released to the public for purchase a week later on Friday, November 3, 2017.
Apple iPhone X
iPhone 8 & iPhone 8+
The new iPhone 8/8+ comes with exciting changes to its design from the previous iPhone 7. A prominent new feature announced for the iPhone 8/8+ is the introduction of a water and dust-proof design. Exterior design changes were introduced as well. Claimed by Apple to be “The most durable glass ever in a smartphone,” the entire back of the iPhone 8 is covered in a new, glossy glass coating, replacing the metallic finish previously featured on the back of the iPhone 7. A buyer can choose between three new design finishes: space gray, silver, and gold.
Updates for the phone’s camera were also introduced. While the 12-megapixel rear-facing camera remains from the iPhone 7, more advanced zooming features for the camera were showcased: up to 10x zoom for photos and 6x zoom for videos. Preorders for the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8+ become available Friday, September 15, 2017, and the new phones will be released in retail a week later, on Friday, September 22, 2017.
Apple iPhone 8+ & iPhone 8, from left to right, respectively
Apple Watch Series 3
Also introduced at the 2017 Apple event was the Apple Watch Series 3. The key new feature of the Series 3 is the addition of cellular support, giving owners of the new Watch the ability to make and answer phone calls from the Apple Watch alone. Also new in the Apple Watch Series 3 is a comprehensive health and fitness application. Preorders for the Apple Watch Series 3 become available on Friday, September 15, 2017, and the Watch will become available for purchase 7 days later, the same release dates of the iPhone 8/8 and the Apple TV 4K, on Friday, September 22, 2017.
Apple Watch Series 3
Apple TV 4K
The Apple TV 4K comes with the same functions that Apple TV users have enjoyed in the past. New with the Apple TV 4K, as indicated by the product name, features support for 4K Ultra HD, a resolution of 3840×2160 pixels. Preorders for the Apple TV 4K become available on the same dates as the iPhone 8/8+ and the Apple Watch Series 3, on Friday, September 15, 2017. The Apple TV 4K will be released to the public on the same dates as the aforementioned products, on Friday, September 22, 2017.
